Rhetoric Analysis of the Letter from a Birmingham Jail
In 1963, Martin Luther King wrote a letter named the “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” as a response to a publication published in the newspaper by eight clergymen who described his arrest as due to violation of specified laws. They argued that his protests were fueled by violence and hatred. They also went ahead to affirm that Martin Luther King was an outsider who had come to stir and cause problems in Birmingham. As a response, he writes the letter to explain his actions and demand justice for his side and those he fought for. In a way, it can be described as a protest to his arrest justice for his nonviolent fight against racism. His ideas on how people should live to build an average community are what leads to his arrests. His arguments were shown with no violence and were driven to promote unity against racism within the community, but he was still arrested. In his letter, he points out the reasons for his arrests, why they are wrong. He explains further why his arguments were valid and why he continues to support his ideologies against injustice on matters of racism despite being arrested. Even then, he does not classify the actions of the clergy as wrong. Still, he does point out that the government should be more open and active in promoting equality, especially across different races. He feels that the government plays a significant part in racism, and if they can commit to pushing against its prevalence, it can be better controlled and eradicated. In the letter, we see that, like everyone else, he is human, and the only difference is that he wants to make society a better place by fighting racism. He uses different rhetoric designs to pass through his message throughout the letter: credibility, pathos depending on emotions, and logos, which depends on logic and reasoning. By using rhetoric devices, he manages to convey his message and gain support from the people; hence, the start of the civil rights movement takes off.
Ethos
Notably, the use of ethos within this letter is very influential, and he applies it within the first paragraph. While he presents why he was arrested wrongly, he makes sure that his ethos offers credibility enough to support his arguments. Within the first page, he points out that he is the Southern Christian Leadership Conference president and that it is an organization that operates within the southern states. With this declaration, he makes a moral declaration that connects him with the readers. It also shows that he is within the right side as he is connected to the church, which drives people to do good. Therefore, after reading this part, the readers state seeing him from a different angle. The organization is in every southern state and affirms that he does good; he is an authority figure as he is the president, which is positives to the audience. Relating such a person with violence starts becoming hard, and even as the reader continues with the letter, their ideology and picture of Martin Luther King have changed.
Additionally, he compares himself and his actions to those of Apostle Paul in the bible. Within this ideology, he reaches his leaving him home to fight for the rights of the people as similar to Paul moving to different places to spread the word of God. He calls to his readers to see that he is driven to make revolutionary changes like various prominent people like Jesus Christ and Thomas Aquinas. He manages to use the past and its elements to create comparability with his actions, promoting his credibility and ethos within his letter.
Pathos
Observably, the use of pathos refers to pulling and reaching the readers’ emotions so that he can pass his message. He gives examples of how African Americans continue to suffer due to racism while nothing is done. He points out the suffering that occurs, like the mothers and fathers being lynched and the children drowned. All because a white man felt like doing it, and no actions were taken. The very depiction of such a picture calls for the emotional feeling for the reader, and once again, they can see the ideologies of Dr. King making sense. His main arguments here and depictions showcase how the human rights of the African Americans have been avoided as well as those of his own. When he highlights this treatment and poverty of the blacks, he calls for them to fight for their rights, and e any reader of the letter can feel how much they need this freedom.
Logos
Additionally, the letter contains several logical explanations which support his ideologies and fight for equality. He points out that there are just and unjust laws within society. Case and point the laws that are used in arresting him. He claims that the people’s laws are different from the laws that stopped him. With this, most whites see the law in light of how advantageous it is to them and not all people. Within this right, he points out the unjust treatment of African Americans and the denial of their human rights. As an example, he points out the activities of Hitler. He killed people and was considered legal under the law, while it was very immoral on all grounds. For a better understanding of the readers, he points out the definitions of just and unjust laws. He also explains his organization’s actions and how nonviolent they show that his actions are not meant to cause any harm. He calls on logic from the readers in this situation.
Repetition Literal Device Analysis
Notably, within this letter, there is repetition, a literal device that goes to show the main points within it. Dr. King knew how to reach the audience, and repetition helped in emphasizing the main point. A word like “when” is used repetitively, which builds on the main idea that he is communicating.
“But when you have seen vicious mobs lynch your mothers and fathers at will and drown your sisters and brothers at whim; when you have seen hate-filled policemen curse, kick and even kill your black brothers and sisters; when you see the vast majority of your twenty million Negro brothers smothering in an airtight cage of poverty amid an affluent society; when you suddenly find your tongue twisted and your speech stammering as you seek to explain to your six-year-old daughter why she can’t go to the public amusement park that has just been advertised on television and see tears welling up in her eyes when she is told that Funtown is closed to colored children, and see ominous clouds of inferiority beginning to form in her little mental sky, ……..”–then you will understand why we find it difficult to wait.” Pg 12
Conclusion
The letter by Martín Luther King was very effective in reaching the audience, providing his view and ideology regarding his arrest and in fighting for the civil rights movement. The use of the rhetoric devices is well presented and very influential in the effectiveness of the letter. While a lot of time has passed since 1963, various aspects like racism continue to plague society. So many developments have been made over time, but still, racism continues being present. Even then, more people are outspoken and driven to fight for equality. This letter works as a stepping stone and guides why it is essential to fight for everyone’s rights and promote civil rights movements.
Work Cited
King, Martin Luther. Letter from a Birmingham Jail [King, Jr.]. 1963.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etkY3DRzPCI